Harmonie State Park

Editor's Review

Just a few minutes from New Harmony, this small state park offers walking, biking and horse trails, as well as fishing and swimming.

On the days when you just can't stand the busy hum of golf carts in little New Harmony, Indiana, you can find an even quieter escape at tiny Harmonie State Park. (On the day we visited, we rescued a turtle from the middle of the road, but it hardly mattered. We didn't see another soul who might have run over it!) The park features several short, easy walking trails ranging from .25 to 2.5 miles -- perfect for those who want to take a stroll in a natural setting. We chose a 1.5 miles round-trip trek to a small pioneer cemetery in the woods. The trail was well-maintained and well-marked, and the woods were pretty, but there's no stunning scenery. It's just a quiet place to get out and enjoy nature. You'll also find mountain biking and horseback riding trails, as well as spots for swimming and fishing. In the summer months, check the park schedule for nature activities geared toward families. For campers, the park offers about 200 campsites with electrical hookups (both 30 amp and 50 amp). Dump stations, showers and other amenities are strategically placed throughout the grounds. From Harmonie State Park, it's an easy drive to New Harmony, where two utopian communities thrived in the 1800s. Take a walking tour with the Historic New Harmony organization, shop the galleries and boutiques downtown, and stop in at the New Harmony Coffee House for gossip and the best lattes around.